DOC spokesman Gelinas said the DOC began the investigation at Kelly’s property and received assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

SLED said in a news release that its agents and DOC investigators “uncovered approximately 58 quarts or 14.5 gallons of the illegal liquor behind a hidden wall” inside a utility shed on Kelly’s property.

Authorities think Kelly used an old beer keg for part of the distillation process.

Kelly was booked at the Spartanburg County jail Tuesday morning and released that afternoon on $2,500 bond.

DOC spokesman Josh Gelinas said Kelly, a 19-year veteran of law enforcement, offered a letter of resignation on Sept. 23 during the investigation.

“We had requested to search his property,” Gelinas said. “We discovered some portion of the distillery.”

Gelinas said Kelly retired as a lieutenant in 2006 but opted to enter the department’s retire and rehire program. Kelly most recently was employed at Livesay Correctional Institute.

SLED agents have seized the moonshine, still and distillery apparatus for evidence in the investigation.

Possession of distillery apparatus and possession of nontax-paid liquor charges are punishable by up to six months in jail and/or fines of up to $600.

<p>Jars of apparent moonshine were the cause of a former South Carolina Department of Corrections officer being placed behind bars this week.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Earl Fletcher Kelly, 61, of 333 Frontier Road, Enoree, was charged with possessing nontax-paid liquor and distillery apparatus.</p><p>DOC spokesman Gelinas said the DOC began the investigation at Kelly’s property and received assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.</p><p>SLED said in a news release that its agents and DOC investigators uncovered approximately 58 quarts or 14.5 gallons of the illegal liquor behind a hidden wall inside a utility shed on Kelly’s property. </p><p>Authorities think Kelly used an old beer keg for part of the distillation process. </p><p>Kelly was booked at the Spartanburg County jail Tuesday morning and released that afternoon on $2,500 bond. </p><p>DOC spokesman Josh Gelinas said Kelly, a 19-year veteran of law enforcement, offered a letter of resignation on Sept. 23 during the investigation.</p><p>We had requested to search his property, Gelinas said. We discovered some portion of the distillery.</p><p>Gelinas said Kelly retired as a lieutenant in 2006 but opted to enter the department’s retire and rehire program. Kelly most recently was employed at Livesay Correctional Institute. </p><p>SLED agents have seized the moonshine, still and distillery apparatus for evidence in the investigation.</p><p>Possession of distillery apparatus and possession of nontax-paid liquor charges are punishable by up to six months in jail and/or fines of up to $600.</p>